Ask Ohio

Ask OHIO

What types of financial aid do you have available?

Scholarships & Financial Aid

There are several types of financial aid available:

Grants and scholarships are considered "gift aid" because they generally do not have to be repaid. Most grants are based upon financial need and scholarships can be based upon merit, financial need or both.

Loans and employment are considered "self-help aid" because loans have to be repaid and by working you earn money for educational expenses. Loans are by far the largest source of financial aid for the majority of students and families. Some loans (Subsidized Stafford and the Perkins Loan), and Federal Work-Study are need-based financial aid programs. The Unsubsidized Stafford and the Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students (PLUS) are considered non-need-based.

There are four main sources of financial aid. These include the federal government, the state government, the institution and private entities. The federal government is by the far the largest source of financial aid.